The long-awaited reopening of the Otukpo Library has moved a significant step closer as community leaders begin the search for professional staff to manage the facility.
Thank you for reading this post; don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel here!
Mr Andrew Obeya Adaudu, who has spearheaded the library’s restoration, announced on Saturday, 3 January 2026, that the project is seeking a qualified volunteer to oversee operations. The move comes as a grassroots response to the continued silence from state authorities regarding the commissioning of facility renovated through community donations.
In a public statement issued via Facebook, Adaudu called on graduates of Library and Information Science residing in or near Otukpo to step forward.
”We are looking for a graduate… who is currently not engaged and is willing to volunteer their experience in managing the Otukpo Library,” Adaudu stated. “The role is voluntary, but stipends will be provided to help cover basic expenses.”
The recruitment of a professional librarian is seen as the final hurdle in opening the doors to students and researchers in the region.
The current state of the library is a testament to community-funded development. Years ago, the structure sat in disrepair until Adaudu led a fundraising campaign that united locals and well-wishers.
The intervention included a complete overhaul of the dilapidated building, and outfitting the reading halls with modern seating and desks. AkweyaTV followed the followed the uncommon fundraising efforts which saw Mr Adaudu ensuring all funds were utilised transparently for the project’s completion.
Reflecting on the journey, Adaudu recalled the collaborative spirit that fuelled the project almost a decade ago, thanking contributors for the resources entrusted to his team. “You all made this happen,” he noted on Facebook six years ago during one his regular milestone reports. “We only worked with the resources you entrusted in our care.”
Despite the project being completed “some time ago,” the state government has reportedly made no move to support or formalise the reopening. Rather than waiting for official intervention, the project coordinators have decided to move forward independently to ensure the community can finally benefit from the investment.
The library is expected to serve as a vital educational hub for Otukpo, providing a quiet study environment and access to resources that have been unavailable since the original facility fell into ruin. In a recent conversation with AkweyaTV, Adaudu, who recently bagged a masters degree in Communication Management from the University of North Florida, envisions the hub serving to revive Idoma history, language, traditions, and unity.
Qualified candidates for the volunteer position or those who wish to recommend a professional are encouraged to contact Andrew Obeya Adaudu directly via his Facebook to discuss the role and the available stipends.
Follow the AkweyaTV channel on WhatsApp: http://bit.ly/3I7mQVx
Or scan the QR code:
